Ground covering element for making a groove

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a ground covering element for making a ground gutter, with an upper side where a groove portion is provided, a lower side, two oppositely disposed longitudinal sides extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, a first face supporting a first registration section of the groove portion, and, in opposed relation, a second face supporting a second registration section of the groove portion, such that the faces each provide at least one projecting portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, and at least one receptive portion shaped at recess in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, in which projecting portion can be brought into engagement with a recessed portion of a neighbouring ground covering element, and each recessed portion can be brought into engagement with a projecting portion of a neighbouring ground covering element, such that an edge formed between the lower side and the first face has a configuration which is essentially congruent with the configuration of an edge defined between the lower side and the second face, and wherein the edges are not parallel with one another.

[0001] This application claims priority from German application number 201 15 271.1, filed on Sep. 15, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to ground covering elements and particularly to elements that are used for forming gutters.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] In the construction of a run-off or ground gutter, for example at the edges of streets or paved walkways or squares, it is typical to use prefabricated grooved blocks, each having a grooved structure and being laid one after another in a row, whereby the groove is formed. In order to achieve the mutually secure emplacement of neighbouring groove blocks, it is known, for example from DE 85 09 982 U1 and DE 295 14 127 U1, to form, on each face exhibiting a registration section of the groove portion, at least one engagement portion projecting in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, and to provide recesses in which an engagement portion of a neighbouring groove block can register. In this manner there is attained, between neighbouring groove blocks, a mutual grip in the form of meshing teeth, which prevents relative displacement of the groove blocks perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove.

[0006] In the gutter stone in accordance with DE 85 09 982 U1, and also DE 295 14 127 U1, the faces of the gutter stones have complementary shapes and consequently they have congruent configurations in the edges between the lower side and the respective face. In this manner, the first face of a first gutter stone can be laid closely adjacent the second face of an identically shaped neighbouring second gutter stone, and brought into tight engagement therewith. The shape of a face is symmetrical about a middle longitudinal axis of the gutter stone, and the faces run essentially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove portion. In this manner, all that can be achieved utilizing the gutter stone in accordance with the basic embodiment, are rectilinear groove tracks. In many cases, it is desirable to install a curve following a rectilinear run. To this end, according to DE 85 09 982 U1 as well as DE 295 14 127 U1, specially curved stones are provided, which are distinguishable from the main embodiment of the gutter stone in that the faces do not run parallel with one another, but instead enclose between them a narrow angle. In this manner the engagement cross-section of the groove portion on the first face, relative to the engagement cross-section of the groove portion on the installed second face is angularly displaced or oblique, by which the pathway of the gutter changes direction.

[0007] A disadvantage of the ground covering units known from DE 85 09 982 U1 and also DE 295 14 127 U1 lies in that, for the construction of a straight groove section and for the construction of a curved groove portion, differing gutter stones are necessary, which is disadvantageous not only with regard to manufacture and storage, but also in relation to the installation of the ground groove.

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a ground covering element of the kind already described, with which it is possible to make both a rectilinear and a curved groove pathway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides, a ground covering element for constructing a ground groove, with an upper side on which a groove portion is provided, a lower side, two longitudinal sides located on opposite sidewalls and extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, a first face against which lies a first registration section of the groove portion, and a second face located in opposition to the first face, with a second registration section of the groove portion lying against the face,

[0010] wherein, on each of the faces there is at least one protruding portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, and at least one receiving portion in the longitudinal direction,

[0011] in which each protruding portion can be brought into engagement with a receiving portion, and each receiving portion can be brought into engagement with a protruding portion of a neighbouring ground covering element,

[0012] in which an edge (K_(1.1)) defined between the lower side and the first face follows a profile which is essentially congruent with the profile of an edge (K_(2.2)) between the lower face and the second face, and wherein the edges (K_(1.1)) and (K_(2.2)) do not extend parallel with one another, characterized in that the edges (K_(1.1) and K_(2.2)) both exhibit a radially-symmetrical profile with respect to the middle point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ground covering element in accordance with the invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ground covering element in accordance with FIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevation taken along the line III in FIG. 2;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the angular displacement of the face;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a partial top view of a face;

[0019]FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of several ground covering elements for the construction of a curved groove;

[0020]FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of several ground covering elements for constructing a rectilinear groove;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a ground covering element with an apparently grooved structure;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a variant of the ground covering element in accordance with FIG. 8; and

[0023]FIG. 10 shows a ground covering element made by fitting together two stone portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a ground cover element of the kind mentioned earlier, in that the edge K_(1.1) between the lower side and the first face, and the edge K_(2.1) defined between the lower side and the second face, each have, with respect to their middle points P₁ and P₂ a radially-symmetrical profile. The radially-symmetrical profile of the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.1) of the ground covering element of this invention makes it possible to lay one ground covering element in one of two possible directions, with respect to an already installed ground covering element. In the ground covering element according to the invention, the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.1) both follow essentially congruent profiles, although they are not parallel with one another, and they subtend a preferably small angle α between them. This corresponds to the structure of curved blocks known in the art. If the ground covering elements are laid one against the other in the same direction, such that the first face of one ground covering element engages the second face of the neighbouring ground covering element, the profile of the ground groove undergoes a change of direction, this being, for each ground covering element, a shift in direction equivalent to the angle α.

[0025] Alternatively, it is nonetheless also possible to lay a ground covering element in a direction which has been rotated about a vertical central axis by 180°, so that then the second face of one gutter stone engages the second face of the neighbouring gutter stone. With this arrangement both gutter stones cause an angulation through the angle α, so that an essentially rectilinear path for the groove is attained. In this fashion, the user can construct the ground gutter selectively straight or curved, with only a few types of ground covering elements. In accordance with the invention, this advantage is attained in that each face of the inventive gutter stone is brought into registry selectively with the first or the second face of a neighbouring gutter stone, which is made possible by the radially-symmetrical path of the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.1).

[0026] In a preferred arrangement of the invention it is intended that the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.1) each have a polygon-shaped profile, in which preferably there is used a zig-zag profile shape, or in particular an S or Z shaped profile. By using the zig-zag-shaped profile for the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.1), a good, opposed engagement of neighbouring ground covering elements is ensured, especially with a large-surface, opposed installation having a sideward loading perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, so that high stress concentration is prevented and a high resistance to breaking is attained.

[0027] Preferably both the faces and the longitudinal sides of the ground covering element define vertical wall portions, which are essentially perpendicular to the lower side. In this manner, the ground covering element has, over its entire height, a constant ground contour; and the first face-defined edge K_(1.2) lies in the vertical projection of the edge K_(1.1) defined between the lower side and the first face. Correspondingly, an edge K_(2.2) defined between the upper side and the second face lies in the vertical projection of the edge K_(2.1), defined between the lower side and the second face.

[0028] In one possible arrangement of the invention it is contemplated that, on each face, there will be provided a single engagement portion extending over the entire height, and a corresponding recess defining a recess portion. In order to ensure a secure grip between neighbouring ground covering elements, the projection portion should extend in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, by a sufficient extent. It has shown itself to be of advantage for the distance by which the projecting portion projects from the corresponding face to be about 0.1 to 0.4 times, and especially about 0.2 times the width of the ground cover element taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove portion.

[0029] The mutual angular displacement between the edge K_(1.1) and K_(2.1) is taken about a point D lying outside the ground cover element. The two edges enclose an angle α between them, which lies in the range from 2° to 10°, and particularly in the range from 5° to 7°. The point D should be located at a spacing which is approximately 5 to 25 times, and particularly 8 to 12 times, the width of the ground cover element taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the groove portion.

[0030] In practice, it is common to encounter the problem of providing, with the ground groove, a curve greater than the angular range of 90°. For this reason, the displacement angle α between the two faces of the ground cover element should be so selected as to satisfy: n×α=90°, wherein n is a simple whole number.

[0031] If the ground cover elements, in the building of an essentially straight groove, are disposed in alternating order, the outer surfaces of the groove should be straight and extend in one plane. As a further elaboration of the invention, this is attained by having the longitudinal sides straight and parallel to each other.

[0032] The profile of the groove portion inside the ground cover element can be either rectilinear or slightly curved. Especially for the construction of a curved groove profile, an excessive diversion of the stream can be prevented by carrying out the invention such that a longitudinal middle line of the groove portion extends curvilinearly, and in particular follows a circular arc having a vertex lying outside the ground cover element, about which the faces are relatively angularly displaced with respect to each other. This can be carried out such that the spacing of the vertex from the longitudinal middle line is larger than or the same as the distance of the point D from the longitudinal middle line. The spacing of the middle point from the longitudinal middle line should be larger than the distance of the point D from the longitudinal middle line by a factor f which is in the range from 1.0 to 5.0, and in particular the range of 2.0 to 3.0. The point D and the vertex are so arranged that the point D lies between the vertex and the ground covering element.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the groove portion of the ground cover element has a symmetrical cross-section relative to its longitudinal middle line, the cross-section being either consistently concavely curved, or polygonally formed. The 1bottom point of the flow cross-section of the grooved portion is to be taken as the lowest point. The bottom points of all cross-sections of the groove portion placed one after the other thus define a bottom line, which preferably corresponds to the longitudinal middle line of the groove portion.

[0034] In order to give the groove the appearance of being constructed of a plurality of individual quadratic, polygonal or any other form of building stones, it is advantageous to apply to the upper surface of the groove portion, an apparently grooved structure. The apparent slots, which are constructed of groove-like slots, moreover interfere with the water stream, and reduce the flow speed.

[0035] The ground covering element is preferably made of concrete, but can be made out of natural or artificial stone.

[0036] A ground covering element 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the form of a monolithic concrete block, has a flat, essentially horizontal lower side 16, and an upper side 11 in which a groove portion 20 is formed, the groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction L, the block having, on a first face 12, a first registration section, and also, on a second face 13 opposed to the face 12, a second registration section. The groove portion 20 has limits defined by two longitudinal sides 14, 15 arranged on opposite sides and extending in the longitudinal direction L of the groove portion 20. The first face 12, the second face 13, and the longitudinal sides 14, 15 all have vertical wall portions which extend essentially perpendicularly to the lower side 16.

[0037] As seen in FIG. 3, the groove portion 20 has a symmetrical polygonal, concave section with a longitudinal centreline S extending in the longitudinal direction L, the line S corresponding to the bottom line of the groove portion 20, i.e. corresponding to the lowest point of all the aligned lines which comprise the groove portions.

[0038] The longitudinal sides 14 and 15 extend parallel to one another, and each comprises a vertical wall surface. The first front face 12 and the second front face 13 each follow a path which consists of a plurality of assembled polygonal wall portions. As can be seen in FIG. 2, an edge K_(1.1) between the lower side 16 and the first face 13 has a profile which is essentially congruent with the profile of an edge K_(2.1) located between the lower side 16 and the second face 13, whereby the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.1) do not extend parallel with one another, but instead are angularly displaced with respect to each other through an angle α having a vertex D lying outside of the ground covering element 10 (see FIG. 4). The vertex D, measured from the middle of the ground covering element, is spaced about 8 to 12 times the measured width of the ground covering element, taken at right angles to the longitudinal direction L of the groove portion 20, and the angle α lies preferably in the region of 3° to 7°, and in particular in the region from 5° to 7°, it being pointed out that the measurements and angle shown in the figures have been enlarged for reasons of improved clarity.

[0039] Both the edge K_(1.1) and the edge K_(2.1) have an S-shaped profile, symmetrical about their middle points P₁, P₂. The middle point P₁ lies below the longitudinal middle line S of the groove portion 20. The same applies to the middle point P₂ of the edge K_(2.1), on the second face 13.

[0040] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the first face 12, viewed against an imaginary connecting line T between the front ends of the longitudinal walls 14 and 15, has an interlocking protruding portion 12 a which is triangular in plan view to one side of the longitudinal middle line S of the groove portion 20, and has a complementary formed receiving portion 12 b on the other side of the longitudinal middle line S. The maximum extent h of the interlocking portion 12 a, measured in the longitudinal direction L of the groove portion 20, should be at least one-tenth of the width of the ground covering element, and in the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 5 has approximately one-fifth of the width of the ground covering element.

[0041] On the second face 13 opposed to the first face 12, there is a corresponding interlocking protruding portion as well as a corresponding receiving portion 13 b, such that, however, these portions, depending on the matching profiles K_(1.1) and K_(2.1), compared with the arrangement of the first face 12, are interchanged, i.e., on the side of the longitudinal middle line S of the groove section 14, where the first face 12 exhibits an interlocking protruding portion 12 a, on the second face 13 there is provided a complementary receiving portion 13 b, and on that side of the longitudinal middle line S of the groove portion 20 where the first face 12 presents the receiving portion 12 b, on the second face 13 there is located the complementary interlocking protruding portion 13 a.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the longitudinal middle line S of the groove portion 20 extends through a circular arc around a vertex point which is not illustrated, and which is further away from the ground covering element 10 than the vertex point D, such that the point D lies between the ground covering element and the centre of curvature of the arc. The longitudinal sides 14 and 15, however, are rectilinear and parallel with each other.

[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the outward lying upper peak location P_(E1) of the interlocking portion 12 a of the first face 12, relative to the upper, furthest inward withdrawn point P_(A2) of the receiving portion 13 b of the second face 13, in the longitudinal direction L of the groove portion 20, is laterally displaced by a very small amount. A corresponding lateral displacement also exists between the upper, furthest inwardly withdrawn point P_(A1) of the receiving portion 12 b of the first face 12 in relation to the upper, outwardly lying peak point P_(E2) of the interlocking protruding portion 13 a of the second face 13. This displacement is determined by the angular displacement between the edge K_(1.1) and K_(2.1) through the angle α. Moreover, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a small height displacement exists between the mentioned point, in order to avoid, during construction of a groove, excessive resilience in the surface of the groove.

[0044]FIG. 6 shows the construction of a groove using a plurality of ground covering elements 10 which are lined up in the same direction, i.e., a first ground covering element 10* lies with its second face in contact with the first face of a neighbouring ground covering element 10**, such that the interlocking protruding portion 12 a** of the first face of the laid-in or covering element 10 ** registers closely within the receiving portion 13 b* of the second face of the first ground covering element 10*. Correspondingly, the interlocking protruding portion 13 a* of the second face of the first ground covering element 10* registers with close tolerance in the receiving portion 12 b** of the first face of the applied ground covering element 10**. What results is a curved groove, since each applied ground covering element is rotated about the angle α with respect to the previous ground covering element.

[0045] Alternatively, however, it is also possible to construct an essentially rectilinear groove, as is illustrated in FIG. 7. To achieve this, the ground covering elements are laid in alternating alignment. Against a first ground covering element 10*, a second ground covering element 10** is so laid that the second face 13* of the first ground covering element 10* registers with the second face 13** of the applied ground covering element 10**. Due to this arrangement, the angular displacement about the angle α, occurring between the first face and the second face of the first ground covering element 10*, is compensated by the corresponding angular displacement α between the second face and the first face of the laid-in ground covering element 10**, so that a substantially straight groove can be constructed, wherein the individual groove portions 20, due to the very slight curvature of their longitudinal middle line S, form a slightly serpentine line, as can be seen in FIG. 7. Since the longitudinal sides 14, 15 of the ground covering element are rectilinear and extend parallel with one another, the groove 15 presents a flat exterior wall.

[0046] The ground covering element seen in plan view in FIG. 8 differs from the previously described ground covering element primarily in that it appears to have an upper face which is completely covered with a grooved structure incorporating crossing slots, producing the visual impression that the ground covering element was constructed of a plurality of individual stones. All of the important additional characteristics of the ground covering element seen in FIG. 8 correspond to the ground covering element seen in FIGS. 1-5.

[0047] The ground covering element according to FIG. 9 differs from the ground covering element seen in FIG. 8 in that, on the one hand, the apparently grooved structure is not essentially quadratic or rhombohedral, but rather resembles a large-surface rectangular grid, with interstitial quadratic portions. Moreover, in this instance the faces each have two interlocking protruding portions 12 a in the longitudinal direction of the groove portion, as well as two receiving portions 12 b, 13 b, complementary thereto. Thus, the edges K_(1.1) and K_(2.2) each follow a path in the form of a double-Z or double-S.

[0048]FIG. 10 shows a variant of the ground covering element of FIG. 1, which differs from the latter in that the ground covering element 10 consists of two individual blocks 10′ and 10″. To this end, the ground covering element 10 is split in the longitudinal direction into the two blocks 10′ and 10″, which are set together laterally in order to provide the ground covering element 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the separation surface between the two blocks 10′ and 10″ extends in the longitudinal direction L of the ground covering element, and has a zig-zag-shaped or S- or Z-shaped profile, so as to attain a strong, opposed interconnection between the two blocks. In the region of the longitudinal middle line S of the groove portion, the split surface has a serpentine configuration, so that part of the longitudinal middle line S lies on one block 10′, and the remaining portion of the longitudinal middle line S lies on the other block 10″. After the two blocks 10′ and 10″ have been set together sidewards to form the ground covering element 10, the latter than possesses the various characteristics and advantages already discussed in connection with FIGS. 1-5, which do not require further elucidation here.

[0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A ground covering element (10) for constructing a ground groove, with an upper side (11) on which a groove portion (20) is provided, a lower side (16), two longitudinal sides (14, 15) located on opposite sidewalls and extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the groove portion (20), a first face (12) against which lies a first registration section of the groove portion (20), and a second face (13) located in opposition to the first face (12), with a second registration section of the groove portion (20) lying against the face (13), wherein, on each of the faces (12, 13) there is at least one protruding portion (12 a, 13 a) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the groove portion, and at least one receiving portion (12 b, 13 b) in the longitudinal direction (L), in which each protruding portion (12 a, 13 a) can be brought into engagement with a receiving portion, and each receiving portion can be brought into engagement with a protruding portion of a neighbouring ground covering element, in which an edge (K_(1.1)) defined between the lower side (16) and the first face (12) follows a profile which is essentially congruent with the profile of an edge (K_(2.1)) between the lower face (16) and the second face (13), and wherein the edges (K_(1.1)) and (K_(2.1)) do not extend parallel with one another, characterized in that the edges (K_(1.1) and K_(2.1)) both exhibit a radially-symmetrical profile with respect to the middle point (P₁, P₂).
 2. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges (K_(1.1)) and (K_(2.1)) each have a polygon-shaped profile.
 3. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges (K_(1.1)) and (K_(2.1)) each have a zig-zag-shaped profile, especially an S- or Z-shaped profile.
 4. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge (K_(1.1)) is angularly offset or obliquely disposed relative to the edge (K_(2.1)) through an angle α about a point D lying outside of the ground covering element (10).
 5. A ground covering element according to claim 4, characterized in that the point D is at a distance of about 5 to 25 times the width of the ground covering element measured at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) of the groove portion.
 6. A ground covering element according to claim 4, characterized in that the point D is at a distance of about 8 to 12 times the width of the ground covering element measured at right angles to the longitudinal direction (L) of the groove portion.
 7. A ground covering element according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle α lies in the range of 2° to 10° and particularly in the range of 5° to 7°.
 8. A ground covering element according to claim 4, characterized in that the following equation is true: n×α=90°, wherein n is a simple whole number.
 9. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that an edge (K_(1.2)), defined between the upper surface 11 and the first face (12), lies in the vertical projection of the edge (K_(1.1)) defined between the lower surface (16) and the first face (12).
 10. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that an edge (K_(2.2)) defined between the upper surface (11) and the second face (13) lies in the vertical projection of the edge (K_(2.1)) defined between the lower surface (16) and the second face
 13. 11. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal sides (14, 15) are straight and parallel to each other.
 12. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that a longitudinal middle line (S) of the groove portion (20) is curvilinear.
 13. A ground covering element according to claim 12, characterized in that the longitudinal middle line (S) lies on a circular arc having a middle point outside the ground covering element (10).
 14. A ground covering element according to claim 13, characterized in that the distance between the middle point and the longitudinal middle line (S) is larger than or equal to the distance of the point D from the longitudinal middle line (S).
 15. A ground covering element according to claim 14, characterized in that the spacing of the middle point from the longitudinal middle line S is greater by a factor f than the spacing of the point D from the longitudinal middle line (S), wherein the factor f lies in the range of 1.0 to 5.0, and in particular in the range from 2.0 to 3.0.
 16. A ground covering element according to claim 13, characterized in that the point D lies between the middle point and the ground covering element (10).
 17. A ground covering element according to claim 12, characterized in that the longitudinal middle line (S) corresponds to the bottom line of the groove portion (20).
 18. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the groove portion (20) has a grooved appearance (17).
 19. A ground covering element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made of concrete. 